The disused Boys’ Lyceum school, located along the main road leading up to the centre of Victoria, will be converted into a museum and cultural centre for Gozo.

The Planning Commission granted planning permission on Thursday for the project to go ahead.

The Gozo Museum, as it will be known, will bring together various historical collections which exist in smaller museums within the Ċittadella.

The new museum will include artefacts from the field of natural history, archaeology, folklore, art and ethnography. Visual arts will also be introduced. There will also be space for temporary exhibitions as well as the Gozo offices of Heritage Malta. A museum shop, cafeteria and a conference space are part of the project.

Works will include the restoration of the 1950s modern architectural building which was designed by architect Joseph G. Huntingford. 

The library block, which was added in the ‘70’s and carries little architectural quality will be demolished and reconstructed. The two buildings will be connected via a lightweight covered walkway.

The sunken piazza at the back of the school will be rehabilitated to create a public open space.